Donald Lyle Fowler is the son of Robert Lyle Fowler and Eileen Marie Welsh Fowler. He was born on July 3, 1944, in Centerville, IA. He gained his eternal wings on December 30, 2024, at the Putnam County Care Center. Don graduated in 1962 from Unionville High School. Don attended college and graduated from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville, MO in May of 1966.
Don was united in marriage to June Carol Hatfield on August 12, 1967. Don enlisted in the Air Force on September 12, 1969. Completing basic training he entered Officer’s Training. After completing flight school, he became a B-52 Stratosphere Pilot.
Don went through pilot training at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas. He also attended training at Castle Air Force Base, California. Don was assigned to a B-52 base in Minot, North Dakota, Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, Louisiana, and Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville Arkansas. At Lakenheath Royal Air Force Base, United Kingdom, he was a Maintenance Officer and Squadron Commander for three years.
During his career, he was a B-52 Bomber Pilot, Aircraft Commander, Instructor Pilot, Command and Control Officer as an F-111 Maintenance Officer.
Flying missions over Hanoi and Baghdad, Don earned the Distinguished Flying Cross award for service in both Vietnam and Desert Storm. He flew 65 missions over Vietnam and five during Desert Storm.
Don’s awards, ribbons and medals include, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal w/1 oak leaf cluster, Air Medal w/oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Southeast Asia Service Medal
During his time in the Air Force, he obtained his master’s degree in education. Retiring in 1992 Don helped close the Blytheville Air Force Base in Arkansas. He returned to Unionville and started teaching at Putnam Co R-I Schools. Don was instrumental in starting the baseball program at Putnam County R-I Schools in 1994 alongside his assistant coach Jeff Butler. He also coached Putnam County Girls Softball for several years. Earning the honors of being an assistant coach for the teams inducted to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2024. Don was the Mayor of Unionville, during his reign as mayor Don played a part in the completion of several community projects as follows: the community swimming pool, walking trail, airport improvements and the monument honoring the first terrorist flight crash.
Don is survived by his sons Richard (Kenndaline) Fowler of Assaria, KS, Ryan (Michele) Fowler of O’Fallon, IL, three grandchildren, Chase (Ashtan) Fowler, Triston Fowler, Katherine (Allan) Wampler, two great grandchildren, Killian Wampler, John Fowler, brother Robert (Deena) Fowler, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Don is preceded in death by his parents Bob and Eileen Fowler, brother Richard Fowler, sister Janice Doolin her husband Raymond Doolin and his beloved wife June Carol Fowler.
A visitation will be held Friday, January 10, 2025, between the hours of 5-7PM at Thomas Funeral Home in Unionville. A funeral ceremony will be held Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 11:30 AM at Thomas Funeral Home in Unionville. Memorials may be made to the Don Fowler Baseball Memorial and can be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home at 709 S. 27th St. Unionville, MO 63565 ATTN: Fowler Family.
